Australia Has Not Taken Steps to Ban Chinese EVs at Bases, Defence Minister Says

Defence Minister Richard Marles says Australia has not moved to ban Chinese-made electric vehicles from defence bases, despite a Four Corners investigation revealing connected cars with banned surveillance cameras can access sensitive sites.

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Australia's Defence Minister has confirmed the government has not taken steps to ban Chinese electric vehicles from defence bases, even as a national security investigation revealed that connected cars equipped with cameras from a banned Chinese surveillance company can freely access sensitive military locations.

The admission follows a Four Corners investigation that found Leapmotor electric vehicles sold in Australia contain cameras manufactured by Dahua Technology, a company whose equipment was removed from Australian government and defence sites in 2023 over security concerns. The investigation drove a Leapmotor vehicle around Canberra, including past the Royal Military College at Duntroon, ASIO headquarters, and the Russell Defence precinct, finding no blanket ban preventing Chinese connected vehicles from operating near sensitive locations.

"We have not taken steps to ban Chinese EVs at bases," the Defence Minister's office confirmed, while declining to detail specific restrictions on connected vehicles at defence sites.

The Dahua Connection

Leapmotor, which entered the Australian market in 2024, has an ongoing procurement relationship with Dahua Zhilian, a subsidiary of Dahua Technology. Documents filed with the Hong Kong Stock Exchange show the agreement covers camera and radar assemblies. Four Corners purchased a rear camera from a Leapmotor vehicle and found the Dahua identifier "DH" on its labelling.

Leapmotor Australia boss Andy Hoang defended the company's security posture, stating the dashcam in the B05 model "is not designed to actually capture any footage or upload anything" and that independent advice confirmed compliance with Australian regulations.

The Broader Security Question

Former Australian national cybersecurity adviser Alastair MacGibbon told Four Corners that connected vehicles could potentially provide information about their surroundings, including where a vehicle travels and when it is present at particular locations. He called for Chinese-connected vehicles to be banned from military bases, intelligence facilities, and critical infrastructure.

The investigation found 22 EVs in a public Canberra car park between ASIO, Defence, and the Australian Signals Directorate, with almost half from Chinese brands.

International Precedent

Other countries have moved faster. The United Kingdom has introduced restrictions on Chinese EVs and vehicles containing Chinese components at some sensitive military locations. Germany has reportedly restricted Chinese vehicles from certain military and intelligence sites. China itself banned Teslas from political enclaves and some defence sites in 2021.

Here is the question The Silicon Review raises. Australia removed Dahua cameras from its defence buildings in 2023, citing national security. Three years later, the same cameras are driving through the gates of those buildings inside Chinese-made electric cars. If the camera was a threat on a wall, why is it not a threat on wheels?

FAQ:

Q: What did the Defence Minister say about banning Chinese EVs at bases?
A: The Defence Minister confirmed Australia has not taken steps to ban Chinese EVs from defence bases, despite security concerns raised by a Four Corners investigation.

Q: What is the security concern with Chinese EVs in Australia?
A: Leapmotor EVs contain cameras made by Dahua Technology, a Chinese surveillance company whose equipment was removed from Australian government and defence sites in 2023.

Q: Can Chinese EVs access Australian defence bases?
A: The Four Corners investigation found no blanket ban preventing Chinese connected vehicles from being driven or parked near sensitive locations including ASIO and Defence headquarters.

Q: What did Leapmotor say about the security concerns?
A: Leapmotor Australia boss Andy Hoang said the company's dashcam is not designed to capture or upload footage and complies with Australian regulations.

Q: Have other countries banned Chinese EVs from sensitive sites?
A: Yes. The UK and Germany have introduced restrictions on Chinese EVs at some military and intelligence locations.